September is Arthritis Awareness Month, an opportunity to learn more about arthritis and the way people can manage symptoms, maintain movement and stay active.
Arthrities is not just one condition. There are many different types of arthritis, and symptoms can vary from person to person. For some people, arthitis may cause joint pain and stiffness. For others, it may affect strength, mobility or the ability to participate in everyday activities.
For people living in Ottawa, physiotherapy can be one part of a broader approach to managing arthritis. Physiotherapy may help address movement limitations, build strength and develop strategies to make physical activity more manageable.
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a general term used to describe conditions that affect the joints and surrounding tissues. There are many types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and gout, among others.
Symptoms can include:
- Joint pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Reduced range of motion
- Changes in strength
- Difficulty with certain daily activities
- Reduced ability to participate in exercise or recreational activities
The experience of arthritis can be different for everyone. Your symptoms, activity levek, affected joints and overall health can all influence how you manage the condition.
Arthritis Society Canada identifies osteoarthritis as the most common type of arthritis and notes that physical activity and exercise can play an important role in managing osteoarthritis symptoms.
Can Physiotherapy Help With Arthritis?
Physiotherapy may be useful for people experiencing arthritis-related pain, stiffness or difficulty moving.
A physiotherapist can assess how your symptoms are affecting movement and function and develop an individualized treatment plan based on your goals and presentation. Depending on the individual, physiotherapy for arthritis may include:
Therapeutic Exercise
Exercise can be an important component of arthritis management. A physiotherapist may recommend exercises designed to address areas such as:
- Strength
- Joint mobility
- Balance
- Endurance
- Functional movement
For example, someone with knee osteoarthritis may benefit from exercises to address the muscles surrounding the knee and hip. The appropriate exercises, intensity and progresion will vary from person to person.
Range of Motion Exercises
Joint stiffness can make everyday movements more difficult. Range of motion exercises can help maintain or improve how a joint moves. They may be incorporated into a broader home exercise program.
Strenghtening
Strengthening the muscles around an affected joint may help support movement and everyday activities. For example, strengthening exercises may be included as part of a physiotherapy program for someone experiencing knee or hip osteoarthritis.
Education and Activity Modification
Living with arthritis does not necessarily mean stopping all physical activity. Instead, it may be helpful to look at how you move, how much activity you are doing and how you can gradually build your tolerance. A physiotherapist can help you understand how to modify certain activities while working toward individual goals.
Arthritis Society Canada recommends physical activity and exercise as important components of osteoarthritis self-management, while recognizing that exercise programs should be appropriate for the individual.
Arthritis Doesn't Mean You Have to Stop Moving
One common misconception is that painful joints always need complete rest.
For many people with osteoarthritis, staying appropriately active can be beneficial. Exercise may help with strength, mobility, physical fitness and overall function. That doesn't mean pushing through every symptom or follwoing the same exercise program as someone else. The goal is to find activities and exercises that are appropriate for your condition, your current abilities and your goals.
Activities such as walking, swimming, cycling and appropriately designed strengthening exercises may be options for some people with arthritis. If a paritcular activity consistently increases your symptoms, a healthcare professional can help you determine whether the activity should be modified.
Physiotherapy for Knee Arthritis
The knee is one of the joints commonly affected by osteoarthritis. Knee arthritis may make the following activities more difficult:
- Walking
- Using stairs
- Getting up from a chair
- Squatting
- Exercising
- Gardening
- Playing recreational sports
Physiotherapy for knee arthritis may involve an assessment of your movement, strength, mobility and functional goals. Your physiotherapist may then develop an exercise program addressing areas such as leg strength, joint mobility, balance and activity tolerance.
The Arthritis Society of Canada also identifies strengthening, range of motion and endurance exercises as potential components of exercise programs for people with osteoarthritis.
Physiotherapy for Hip Arthritis
Hip arthritis can affect walking, getting dressed, climbing stairs and other everyday activities. A physiotherapy assessment can look at how your hip symptoms are affecting your movement and function. Depending on your individual presentation, treatment may include therapeutic exercise, strengthening, mobility exercises and strategies for modifying activities. The goal is not necessarily to eliminate every symptoms. Instead, physiotherapy can focus on helping you work toward your individual functional goals.
What About Arthritis Flares?
Arthritis symptoms can change over time. If a joint becomes particularly painful, swollen or hot, the appropriate approach may differ from your usual exercise routine. Arthritis Society Canada recommends resting an affected joint during a flare involving pain and/or swelling while continuing appropriate range of motion activity.
If you experience a significant or unusual change of in symptoms, it is appropriate to discuss it with your healthcare provider.
When Should You Consider Physiotherapy for Arthritis?
You may want to consider speaking to a physiotherapist if arthritis symptoms are making it harder to:
- Walk comfortably
- Exercise
- Work
- Use stairs
- Participate in recreational activities
- Complete household activities
- Maintain your usual level of physical activity
You don't necessarily need to wait until symptoms significantly interfere with your daily life. A physiotherapist can help assess your movement and discuss whether physiotherapy is appropriate for your situation.
What Happens During Physiotherapy for Arthritis?
Your first appointment will generally involve an assessment and discussion of your concerns. Your physiotherapist may ask about:
Your symptoms, medical history, activities that are difficult, your current physical activity, your goals, previous treatment and how your symptoms affect everyday life.
They may also assess movement, strength, mobility and functional activities. Based on the assessment, your physiotherapist can discuss treatment options and develop a plan appropriate to your needs. Treatment can change over time as your symptoms, abilities and goals change.
Arthritis Physiotherapy in Ottawa
If you're searching for physiotherapy for arthritis in Ottawa a physiotherapy assessment can be an opportunity to discuss your symptoms and determine whether physiotherapy may be appropriate for you.
At Premier Physiotherapy Clinic in Ottawa, we provide physiotherapy assessment and rehabilitation for people experiencing arthritis related pain, stiffness and changes in mobility. Our physiotherapist develop individualized treatment plans thay may include therapeutic exercise, strengthening, mobility exercises, activity modification and education to help support movement and function. Treatment is tailored to each person's symptoms, abilities and goals.
Arthritis Awareness Month: Keep Moving, Stay Informed
Arthritis can affect people in different ways, anad managing it is often about finding an approach that fits your individual circumstances. For some people, appropriately perscribed exercise, physical activity, education and lifestyle strategies can be important parts of arthritis management.
This Arthritis Awareness Month, take the opportunity to learn more about your condition and the options available to you. If arthritis is affecting your movement or dailt activities, consider speaking with a healthcare professional about your options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arthritis and Physiotherapy
Can physiotherapy treat arthritis?
Physiotherapy does not cure arthritis. However, physiotherapy may be used as part of an individualized approach to managing symptoms and improving movement, strength and function.
Is physiotherapy good for arthritis?
Physiotherapy can be appropriate for some people with arthritis, depneding on their symptoms, diagnosis, health history and goals. A physiotherapist can assess your movement and discuss whether physiotherapy may be appropriate for your situation.
What type of physiotherapy is used for arthritis?
Physiotherapy for arthritis may include therapeutic exercise, strengthening, range of motion exercises, education and activity modification. The specific treatment approach should be based on an individual's assessment and needs rahter than using the same program for everyone.
Can physiotherapy help knee arthritis?
Physiotherapy may help people with knee arthritis work on strength, mobility, balance and functional movement. A physiotherapist can assess your knee and surrounding joints and develop an exercise and rehabilitation program based on your presentation and goals.
Can physiotherapy help hip arthritis?
Physiotherapy may help people with hip arthritis address limitations in strength, mobility and function. Treatment can include exercises and activity strategies selected according to the individual's symptoms and goals.
Should I exercise if I have arthritis?
For many people with osteoarthritis, physical activity and appropriately designed exercise can be an important part of symptom management. However, the appropriate type and amount of exercise varies between individuals. If you're unsure which activities are appropriate for you, speak with your physiotherapist or another qualified healthcare professional.
Does arthritis mean I should avoid exercise?
Not necessarily. Avoiding all activity is not generally required for people with osteoarthritis. Exercise can help maintain strength, mobility and physical fitness. However, activities may need to be modified depending on symptoms and the individual's condition.
How often should I see a physiotherapist for arthritis?
There is no single schedule that is appropriate for everyone. Frequency of physiotherapy appointments depends on your assessment, goals, treatment needs and progress. Your physiotherapist can discuss an appropriate treatment schedule with you.
Can physiotherapy help with arthritis pain?
Physiotherapy may help some people manage arthritis related symptoms through approaches such as therapeutic exercise, movement education and activity modification. Individual responses to treatment vary, so physiotherapy should not be presented as guranteeing a particular outcome.
When should I see a physiotherapist for arthritis in Ottawa?
Consider speaking with a physiotherapist if arthritis symptoms are affecting your mobility, exercise, work, recreation or everyday activities.
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